Ancient Egypt

This illustrated survey covers the enduring monuments of ancient Egypt, from obelisks, tombs and mausoleums to hieroglyphic inscriptions and gold jewelry. Its many images show animal mummies, statues of falcon-headed deities and the famous funerary mask of Tutankhamun, alongside the pyramids and the Sphinx.

The book begins with Neolithic cave paintings at Wadi Sura, made when the area was grassy savannah rather than desert. It then moves through the Valley of the Kings, the rock-cut temples of Abu Simbel and the large temple complexes at Karnak and Luxor. Millions of people visit these sites every year, and the book explains why their beauty and scale are so widely admired.

Organized chronologically, the chapters follow the settlements that grew along the banks of the Nile. Photographs and detailed captions show how the civilization built trade networks and rose to wealth and influence across North Africa and the eastern Mediterranean.

Alongside the best-known landmarks, the book also features lesser-known sites, including the Step Pyramid of Djoser, the bent pyramid at Dahshur and the Statue of Khaefre.